IAN WOOSNAM struggled to a one over par 73 in the first round of the Honda Open in Hamburg yesterday, prompting fears that injury could force him to miss the US Open at Oakmont next week.

Woosnam has been suffering from back trouble for several weeks and on Wednesday complained of stiffness and soreness across his shoulders and back. At the end of yesterday's round he was pessimistic. 'I'm taking tablets to ease the pain but really what I need is rest.'

When it was suggested that he would get little rest with the US Open coming up, he said: 'Do you want to bet? I'll see how it goes tomorrow. I can't turn properly and I can't stretch back enough so I was chunking it right, then left.'